ESB in the News
Find out information about past events related to the ESB in our "ESB in the news" archive.

Books and Videos
We have hand-picked reference materials and history books about the ESB so you can find all the information you want about America’s favorite landmark.

Valentine's Day Weddings
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Group Tours
Get the information you need to plan your own group tour.

From Fifth Avenue to the tip of its antenna, the Empire State Building soars 1,504 feet into the sky. As an industry leader in radio and television broadcasting, the Empire State Building is home to 44 radio and television stations that take advantage of its superior height to reach maximum audiences with both analog and digital signals. It also has the largest FM combiner system in the Western Hemisphere.

With over 100 antennas, the Empire State Building also provides a variety of point-to-point radio and data communications services to utility companies, telecommunications providers and public safety agencies. Antenna locations at lower levels are available for cellular and broadband users.

	Home To: 19 FM radio stations 14 NTSC (analog) television stations 11 DT (digital) television stations 10 telecommunications tenants Space: Over 100,000 square feet dedicated to broadcast tenants Features: Ample tech power for future expansion Dedicated shaftways for power and technical requirements Connectivity with major communications carriers Applications: Analog and digital television, and FM broadcasting Satellite Microwave Two-way Data Cellular and Broadband (on lower Building levels) Height: AGL / 443.0m / 1,453ft AMSL / 458.5m / 1,504ft Location: LAT / 40-44-54N LONG / 73-59-10W FCC REG: ASR# 1007048 Structural Standard: ANSI / TIA / EIA-222 F Wind Pressure: ASCE 7 RS9-5-1 (NYC Code)

Beginnings In Broadcasting

When the Empire State Building first opened in 1931, the top of the building began its tenure in broadcasting. NBC sent its first experimental television signal from the top of the Building on December 22, 1931.

In Early 1950, the 22-story, 222-foot, 60-ton mast-like structure was constructed on the Building. No cranes were utilized; instead, sections of the tower were taken inside the Building up to the top for installation.

On July 25, 1950, New York City Mayor William O’Dwyer, RCA Chairman David Sarnoff and other dignitaries drove the first rivets into the base of what became the Empire State Building’s broadcast tower.

ESB Broadcast Services

• State-of-the-art facilities
• Setting industry standards
• Automated RF monitoring
• Available space for antennas, radio and telecommunications equipment, and transmitter/equipment rooms
• On-site, dedicated, professional Building broadcast staff
• Top security
• Priority elevator service to broadcast areas
• Upgraded common areas and facilities

For more information about the Empire State Building’s broadcasting and communications capabilities, contact: